Cannabis and comedy have long been recognized as one of the all-time great combinations. The plant’s powers enhance the enjoyment of both activities, thanks to their intertwined relaxing and mood-enhancing effects. This synergy is set to take center stage at Edmonton’s Great Outdoor Comedy Festival, which runs July 12-14. Papa’s Herb will collaborate with Plantlife Cannabis to exclusively launch its disposable vape products at the event. This is the first time festival-goers will have the unique opportunity to purchase cannabis in a festival setting in Canada.
This announcement highlights the integration of cannabis into mainstream entertainment. It also underscores Edmonton’s progressive approach to event regulation and economic development. Props to Canadian politician Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, who helped shift regulations in the territory.
Cannabis & Comedy in Canada
Now in its fourth consecutive year, the Great Outdoor Comedy Festival is a highlight in Edmonton’s entertainment calendar. Renowned for its lively atmosphere and stellar comedic performances against scenic outdoor backdrops, the festival attracts comedy enthusiasts and top-tier performers from across Canada.
The collaboration between Papa’s Herb, a prominent cannabis brand born in Miami and made in California, and Plantlife Cannabis, Alberta’s largest independently owned and operated dispensary, promises to elevate the overall experience, setting a precedent for future cannabis-infused events in the region.
Ian Scott, owner of Plantlife Cannabis in Edmonton, underscores this synergy. “Great comedy is made even better with the addition of cannabis,” he says. “The relaxed and euphoric effects enhance the audience’s enjoyment, making Papa’s Herb an ideal partner to enrich this special event.”
Festival Experience: Where to Find Papa’s Herb
During the festival, attendees can purchase Papa’s Herb disposable vapes at “The Garden by Plantlife,” conveniently located next to the main stage, along with the company’s other premium cannabis products.
“The Great Outdoor Comedy Festival provides an ideal platform for our offerings,” says Aaron Nathaniel, CEO of Papa’s Herb. “Our RNTZ and Lemon Cherry Gelato disposable vapes are crafted to complement the festival ambiance, offering a blend of relaxation and enjoyment that pairs perfectly with laughter.”
Papa’s Herb stands for family lineage, quality, and sustainability, sourcing premium cannabis from dedicated local growers to ensure top-tier quality and affordability. As a brand “by the people, for the people,” it supports small farmers and prioritizes sustainability.
Nearly 25 years after he was disqualified from the World Boxing Association Heavyweight Championship for biting his opponent’s ears, Mike Tyson’s Tyson 2.0 cannabis brand has just released ear-shaped edibles, Mike Bites.
The new ear-shaped edibles are complete with a missing chunk where Tyson removed a portion of Evander Holyfield’s cartilage in what became known as The Bite Fight. After Tyson bit off a chunk of Holyfield’s ear, the 1997 match resumed. However, after attempting to snack on Holyfield’s second ear, Tyson was disqualified and his boxing licence was withdrawn. The Nevada State Athletic Commission handed Tyson a a $3 million fine for his actions and he didn’t fight again for over a year.
Wiz Khalifa and his entertainment company Taylor Gang Ent. have collaborated with Stündenglass, the world’s first gravity-powered infuser, to introduce the iconic gold and black Taylor Gang x Stündenglass.
“I’m honored to have collaborated with long time friend Wiz Khalifa, who is as passionate about this product as I am. Our mutual admiration for Stündenglass made it a natural collaboration,” Stündenglass CEO Chris Folkerts said via a press release.
Taylor Gang x Stündenglass is an authentic collaboration developed after the multi-platinum-selling, Grammy-winning, Golden Globe-nominated Khalifa discovered Stündenglass and began enjoying it regularly as seen on his Instagram.
“I love my Stündenglass, and I’m pumped everyone gets to experience this with me now,” Khalifa.
The infuser features a patented 360-degree gravity system that elicits a powerful and immersive experience. It generates kinetic motion activation via cascading water, opposing airflow technology and the natural force of gravity.
The Taylor Gang gravity bing comes in an exclusive black and gold colorway and features two glass globes on a metal base made of aircraft-grade aluminum, surgical grade stainless steel, and high-quality Teflon seals.
Taylor Gang includes artists Ty Dolla $ign, Juicy J, and Berner among others — the former of which has his own line Stündenglass collab with his Cookies brand.
“We’re very excited to launch the official Taylor Gang x Stündenglass. We use glass in our everyday lives, so it only made sense to team up and create an exclusive Taylor Gang collaboration for the fans,” Taylor Gang said.
With medicinal marijuana being legal in 37 states and recreational cannabis allowed in 18, we should be seeing commercials for companies, products, and services almost as frequently as commercials for sports betting, which is permitted in 30 states in some form.
However, mainstream cannabis advertising continues to be non-existent, as demonstrated in the recent news that NBC has rejected an ad by cannabis e-commerce and advertising platform Weedmaps from being shown during the Super Bowl LVI event his coming Sunday.
Weedmaps reportedly approached the network late last year about airing a Super Bowl commercial that would be “similar to a PSA,” according to reports. Execs volunteered to present some of their earlier educational-based programming, assuring NBC executives that it would not contain any direct-sell messages, which are still forbidden under federal law.
“The answer was a hard no — they wouldn’t even entertain the conversation,” Weedmaps Chief Operating Officer Juanjo Feijoo told Adweek. “We see ourselves as trying to be trailblazers in the industry and making new inroads where others haven’t gone before in cannabis advertising. So it was disappointing.”
The contentious ad personifies cannabis as Brock Ollie, a head of broccoli, the veggie emoji commonly used as a visual representation of cannabis in marketing. The 30-second ad takes viewers through a day in the life of Brock Ollie, whose superfood identity is in jeopardy as he is repeatedly misidentified as cannabis. The ad offers a lighthearted take on the industry’s issues, such as social media censorship and a lack of clear advertising standards, which limit cannabis-related commercials during nationally televised events like the Super Bowl.
“Despite three quarters of the country having legalized cannabis and the bipartisan enthusiasm we continue to see in support for change at the federal level, the industry continues to face roadblocks that inhibit competition in the legal market and stifle opportunities to educate,” Chris Beals, CEO of Weedmaps said. “There’s an irony in the fact that the biggest night for advertising will feature an array of consumer brands in regulated industries, from beverage alcohol to sports betting, yet legal cannabis retailers, brands and businesses have been boxed out.”
The game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams will be played Sunday in L.A.